WRU probe Cooper club duty

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Cooper sat on the bench as Gloucester faced Saracens at Vicarage Road, although he was among five visiting substitutes not used by head coach Dean Ryan but the International Rugby Board's regulations committee ruled 29-year-old Cooper should not be released by Wales.

After the Saracens match, a WRU spokesperson said: "We are seeking to establish all the facts, and once that is done we will consider all the material issues and act accordingly."

Cooper is part of Wales boss Warren Gatland's autumn Test squad currently preparing to meet New Zealand in Cardiff next Saturday, a match which falls inside the IRB's autumn Test window.

Under IRB regulations, Wales have first call on their players during the official three-match November international window.

Gloucester could now face an IRB sanction, despite Ryan claiming everything had been done by the book.

Cooper did not play against Canada on Friday night but he has been training with the squad and is expected to be involved against New Zealand.

Ryan said: "Everybody involved in this situation knew of our decision when we took it at noon on Sunday.

"That includes Premier Rugby (umbrella organisation for the 12 Premiership clubs) and every other body who are involved, so everyone knew we were going ahead and naming Gareth on the bench for the game.

"All parties who are involved have seen that we included him on the bench and have seen what has been said, so what happens from here is for other people to decide."